We saw over the course of the 2010-11 season and all the way through last week’s fifth annual development camp that the Bruins have the type of prospects that should guarantee the wait for the next Stanley Cup championship won’t take another 39 years.

Some prospects have a chance to contribute to Boston’s attempt at a repeat, while others are three to five years away from donning black and gold on a regular basis. Some fall some place in between those two extremes.

What follows is a list of Bruins’ prospects ranked in terms of their chances of contributing to the 2011-12 Bruins. It is in no way a ranking of who the best prospects are, or who has the best chance to be an NHL superstar.

Obviously age, pro experience and pro eligibility have a large impact on this list. Also keep in mind that up front the Bruins have lost Mark Recchi and Michael Ryder, while adding Benoit Pouliot, and on defense the club only lost Tomas Kaberle and imported Joe Corvo to replace him.

So at most, there is one job available on D and one that could be taken by an upstart up front. And even then the ice time and games played might be few and far between.

Let the arguing begin:

1. Jordan Caron, LW/RW
We saw his nose for the net and his ability to play responsibly in his own end during a 23-game stint in the NHL last season. Caron’s numbers (12-16-28 in 47 games) in the AHL weren’t all the impressive, but it took him a while to come down from the excitement of starting out in the NHL. Plus, he wasn’t exactly surrounded by a lot of firepower. You like Caron right now for his intangibles, and that’s why he could easily win a second- or third-line winger job with the big club this fall.

2. Jamie Arniel, C/W
Without the benefit of a lot of high-end offensive skill or the assistance of much super-skilled support, Arniel led the Providence (AHL) farm club with 50 points last season and was among the “Black Aces” until the Bruins hoisted the Cup. He projects as a grinder in the NHL, so he could prove to be a cheaper third- or fourth-line alternative for the Bruins, should they bump a player up the depth chart or decide to ship someone out of town.

3. Steven Kampfer, D
Without that injury he suffered during an AHL conditioning stint at the tail end of the season, Kampfer would’ve been able to contribute to Boston’s cause in the postseason when Zdeno Chara and Adam McQuaid were forced from the lineup for various reasons. Instead he had to work his way back into shape and wait in reserve over the course of the final two series. Although he struggled at points during the regular season and wound up as a healthy scratch for the stretch run, Kampfer’s early-season impact as a first-year pro playing defense was remarkable. If he can regain his confidence and readjust his game against opponents that now have a book on him, he’ll push for at least a top-six spot.

4. Anton Khudobin, G
This is the guy you don’t want to see — and it’s no knock on Khudobin’s skills. But if he’s with the big club, Tim Thomas or Tuukka Rask is hurt. Should one on those veterans go down briefly, the Bruins should be able to rely on the 25-year-old Khudobin, who in six career NHL games (all with Minnesota) has compiled a .955 save percentage and 1.40 goals-against average. Odds are, after a full season of perfect health, Thomas or Rask is going to have to some sort of ailment creep up this season. That’s why Khudobin coming back to Boston was a big deal this summer.

5. Max Sauve, C/W
The injuries that limited him to 61 games played last season might’ve delayed Sauve’s development a little bit. He’s not helped by the fact that the Bruins’ openings up front probably require a bit more physicality and defensive ability than he has right now. But there’s no denying that this guy’s speed and hands should put him in the mix for a call-up from this season on out.

6. Jared Knight, RW
Development camp always has a way of raising a guy’s stock. But when he left Boston last summer, Knight knew he needed to bulk up and get better in his own end. Well, he put on 20 pounds of almost pure muscle and by all accounts he learned responsibility last season with London (OHL) while putting up 70 points in 68 games. And he showed how much he improved during this summer’s development camp. When it comes down to it, based on available playing time the Bruins will probably want Knight to get more junior seasoning. But in terms of a combination of physicality, skill and a solid head on his shoulders, Knight’s the type of kid that can sometimes alter a team’s plans.

Bartkowski/By S. Bradley

7. Matt Bartkowski, D
The Bruins got the best of both worlds with the first-year pro blueliner last year. They were able to get him most of a full season with Providence (5-18-23 totals in 63 games) but also gave him a six-game cup of coffee with the big club and kept him around with the “Black Aces” for the duration. He still has a lot to learn and another year of AHL seasoning should do him well, but should there be a rash of injuries on Boston’s back end Bartkowski would be in line for more NHL time.

8. Ryan Spooner, C
With a little more physicality in his game during development-camp scrimmages, Spooner showed that he hasn’t rested on his laurels from last fall’s push for an NHL job. He still needs to add more weight and keep expanding the breadth of his hockey sense. His game’s probably too cute to fill a role with Boston right now, but you can’t count him out considering how well he performed in his first NHL camp. A return to junior, however, is probably in the cards.

9. Colby Cohen, D
Had he not battled injury when Boston first acquired him from Colorado, Cohen might’ve pushed Bartkowski for one of those second-half call-ups. Nonetheless, he was a solid plus-5 with 12 points in 46 games for a poor Providence team last season. With a full training camp in Boston’s system, Cohen could show enough to be in the mix as an injury call-up or seventh D this season, in particular if Boston decides it needs more size on its back end. They kept him around among the “Black Aces” in the playoffs, so the Bruins must like what they see.

10. Zach Hamill, C
Head coach Bruce Cassidy has hinted at the potential for a position change for the former first-round pick if he doesn’t pick up his play in the middle. The Bruins have tried a lot of things in an attempt to motivate Hamill, so one more maneuver wouldn’t be surprising. Hamill didn’t look completely out of place in his brief NHL stint (three games, one assist), but that he wasn’t kept around with the “Black Aces” tells you all you need to know about his standing in the organization at this stage of his career.

George,
Based on what we have heard about Savard and his injury, I think he’s a big ? next year more so than this year. I think the question next year will be if he decides to retire, which I hope he does. From everything I know about concussions, he can still lead a relatively normal life right now, but likely has a pretty significant amount of brain damage right now, without another hit. That being said, I’m worried that if he does come back and play, his quality of life will be a shell of what it is right now.

the other nifty
I read a Hockey News article, I think that’s the origin of it, that stated some believe that Knight was passed over by US Hockey because he continued to play junior hockey in Canada. I’m pretty sure he got asked to attend the US junior hockey camp this year. For the prospects game, I have no answer. I’m dating myself here, but he kind of reminds me of a right-handed shooting Don Marcotte. His willingness to go to the high traffic areas in order to score will endear him to Julien and Chiarelli. As well, they asked him to put on more muscle and he did.
P.S. I’m with you Karl Hungus, I don’t know why Zach Hamill’s name is on the list.

I agree with most of this listing even though I feel that Max Sauve has as much chances to make it than Caron & Arniel up front. He’s by far the fastest & the best pure scorer on this list (though, the only big club’s opening might be more for a 3rd liner right now).

I think Kampfer and Caron have the best hopes of making the roster. I think Arniel has an outside chance.

I can almost see them taking Knight for the limited games to see how he does, but I suspect even if they opt to give him a whirl he ends up back in the OHL, but I think he very likely makes the team for the 2012-2013 season.

I am pretty sure the 7th defense spot is Kampfer’s to lose. Bartkowski didn’t impress me when they pulled him up last Spring. While I hope the team avoids injuries so that a call up is necessary I kind of hope they call up Cohen and give him a whirl-I would kind of like to see what he can do.

David,
You may be right about McQuaid being an over-acheiver. From last year to this year I thought he was the most improved Bruin. I think Caron and Knight bring with them character and physicality that the Bruins see as important assests. There is no guarantee that Pouliot’s signing will earn him a roster spot. I think Kampfer has shown flashes that he could be make the squad and be more than a seventh d-man.

If Knight is on this team out of camp I will faint. It amazes me that people are thinking he is possibly NHL ready without ever seeing the guy play. Passed over by the US team last year. Not invited to the prospects game and somehow he’s going to make the stanley cup champions. Time to settle down.

No need to fight guys. Julien will probably add Caron because he will earn his spot in pre-season. We all have heard why Murray was sent off, and it could well be a boost for a number of players, as Cassidy sounds like the right temperment for a development coach.

Bruins16,
I think Darth Quaider is an overacheiver. From what I’ve heard he was a long shot to make the NHL in the first place, but you are totally right about Claude being able to get value from under-achievers (don’t forget Ryder!)

I think Knight might just make it really hard to send him back to juniors if he can continue on his current course. Whether he’s here in a year or more, he looks to be a good character player with a great attitude. Those don’t come natural all the time, just ask Marchand (not a reference to his not being signed).

I don’t think where Pouliot came from had much to do with why the Bruins signed him. I think he was affordable and had under-achieved in Montreal. I think the Bruins have done a good job with other under-achieving players, eg. Horton, Ferrence, and McQuaid. Your comment was about Caron’s ethnic background and that would give him an edge over other players. I don’t think that will help him or hinder him, just as I think Kampfer and Knight have a real good chance at making the team based on their skills that they bring with their game. I think Julien and Chiarelli will make personal decisions based on merit, not ethnicity or home town. I have no French heritage, but your comment about Julien was wrong.

I think Caron will make it because of his work ethic and physical type of play. I think he will get the nod over Pouliot and Kampfer will get the 7th d-man job. I think has more of chance than some might think. As far as your comment that Julien gives preference to French-Canadians, it’s a cheap shot. Julien wants players that will fit his system or style of play, not what their ethnic background is. Heaven sakes we won the cup for the first time in 39 years and your questioning his judgement. By the way, Steve Begin (French-Canadian) is no longer a Bruin. If you think that the Bruins could have won the Cup without Bergeron, Paille, or Marchand, then your just wrong!

Process of elimination Centers and Dmen won’t be needed as much as wingers because of depth at those positions. Being that Julien likes his fellow Frenchman you would think Caron has the edge but he really didn’t play all that great when he went down to Providence point wise this could change with Cassidy coaching.

Arniel ? “He projects as a grinder in the NHL” Oh how Claude loves to hear that. Thought James played well against Tampa in his one call up last season.

Sauve is the closest to a point per game but all scouts point to the same thing his lackluster defensive play not going to cut it with Julien. Max is 6’1″ but hasn’t grown into his frame yet so he needs a great camp.

Spooner and Knight too young can’t play in Providence till next year going back to the AHL. It will be fun to watch some Bruins in the WJC.

Kampfer 7th Dman done deal. Khudobin pushing Rask that is a good thing. Providence’s goals against went way down after Anton arrived from Houston. This PC trade might just be talked about for years to come as a steal.